American Akita - A very territorial dog breed
The American akita, which is now known as Akita, It has the same origin as the Japanese, but it has evolved differently from Akita Inu "Original", giving rise to two different races.
- Weight: 32 to 59 kg
- Hair type: double layer protecting it from cold
- Character: intelligent, balanced and very faithful
- Health: Very good, with some genetic diseases
- Life expectancy: between 12 and 14 years
Origins
It is common to that of Akita Inu and we already have news of them in the seventeenth century. His name comes from the city of Akita, which was the capital of the island of Honshu.
There the Matagi Akitas were developed, which were used mainly in dog fights and also in the hunting of large animals, such as deer or bears.
Jumping in time we go until the second half of the nineteenth century, when the race underwent a change when mixed with others such as the German shepherd or the tosa inu, all with the idea that the size of these animals grew.
We advance more and thus we arrive at World War II, which was a disaster for the Akitas, as happened with many other races. Here, the policy of killing all dogs was added in order to wear their skin to make military clothing.
Only German shepherds were fought, since these were employed by the military. That made some fans try to save the breed by mixing it with German shepherds, trying not to sacrifice their dogs.
At the end of World War II there were several types of Akitas
With the end of World War II the state of the race was disastrous and it can be said that there were three types o Lines: the Matagi Akitas, the fighting akitas and those who were mixed with the German shepherds.
Fans tried to restore the race and this was done through the bloodline known as "Dewa." This Dewa line was popular and it was the one that landed in the United States with the military who returned from occupied Japan at the end of the war.
In the appearance of this line there was a lot of the mastiffs and German shepherds, following their development in the hatcheries of the United States. At the same time, in 1950 in Japan they begin to work in order to recover the old Akita Inu, which will be the one that gives rise to the Japanese line.
In this way, the two branches are created. The American usually has a black mask and resembles a defense dog, while the Japanese is a friendlier race and has a white mask.
The total differentiation between both lines was in 2006, when the International Cinological Federation (FCI), acknowledged the American line as American Akita and places it in Group V.
Main characteristics
One of its main characteristics is in its appearance, which is imposing. In fact, in Spain it has been included among the PPP breeds by its force rather than its character, a law that has already been repeatedly repealed for breed lovers.
As soon as we see it we realize that we are facing a solid dog, with a strong skeleton and very balanced proportions in which functionality prevails, something natural if we consider its origins.
Its fur is double cape, which makes it ideal for cold areas, since it resists low problems without problems.
The tail is striking, which is always curled on the spine, with a hue that is sometimes different from the one that dominates in the mantle, creating a good contrast.
The American Akita can have several shades in her hair, such as gray, painting, white or gray, with a mixture of these colors, especially white.
Another of the peculiarities of the race is in its head and in its ears. The head forms a triangle, with very small eyes. The ears are also triangular and it takes them raised.
It can reach 71 cm high, which makes it a large-giant dog, this being one of the main differences with the Japanese Akita, which is smaller and less weight.
We must not forget the black mask, that although it is a feature that tells us that we are facing an Akita, sometimes they have it and sometimes not. In fact, there may be no mask, that the head is black or even has blaze.
Character
We are facing a very territorial dog that tends to make rounds by his house or the plot, watching that not between any stranger, with independent and reserved temperament.
In fact, it is said that it is one of the dog races that approximates the way of behaving of cats, which perhaps has to do with its origins in Japan.
Protects his family above all, both people and other animals. In fact, it does not usually get along with dogs, with which it is quite dominant.
It is convenient to socialize the puppy very well from a young age, educating him positively and resorting to a training if necessary, especially when teaching him basic obedience, with the idea of being able to control it in all situations.
Inside the house it is very docile and calm, but especially if there are children we will have to be careful when friends or strangers enter those who do not know. This is because it can attack if he perceives any gesture that seems to him a threat against his.
When we go to the park you will have to be cautious with other males If he does not know them and has not maintained a relationship with them. If they undergo him, he will not cause a fight, but if they face the confrontation and it is not easy to separate it when he bites.
It is said that inside there is a sleeping lion that we do not want to wake up, which is a very good definition of its character with respect to other dogs.
Thus, as a conclusion of this section we can say that it is not the ideal race for those who begin with dogs, being better to leave it to people already experienced in the management of animals, especially those of large size.
Care
We start with the hair, which is dense and quite prominent. This forces us to brush it every day, doing it twice when he is moving, otherwise he will turn the house into a sea of hairs.
Luckily, The American Akita is one of the cleanest dogs that exist and is rejoiced regularly, cleaning himself when he has a time of rest like after playing or eating.
Anyway, we must not neglect your hygiene and that is why you have to go through the bathtub every two months or so, expanding this period depending on whether the dog lives at home or in the garden.
The nails usually grow a lot, so you have to be attentive and cut them before they bother you when walking. We can do it with a specific scissors or take it to the veterinarian.
With respect to exercise, despite its size, Akita is a very active animal. Thus, at least you have to go out to take a walk three times a day, something that can be complemented with other exercises such as running, The agility, the bicycle, etc.
Also They love playing and that keeps him as adults. Therefore, it should have several toys appropriate to the force of his mouth, since he entertains himself by biting.
Feeding
As with all dogs, we must give it the best food we can afford. That means leaving aside the food they sell in supermarkets, opting for what is acquired in specialized stores.
This is even more important as it is a large or giant race, of those that grow barbarity in the first months of their life. During them, Akita will need quality nutrients in large quantities.
So, We are going to provide a meal adapted to each of the stages of your life, which is simple thanks to the brands that offer it at this time.
Given its size and the amount of food you need daily, we are going to distribute the taking in two or three times, and we will never give it before or after coming from doing some exercise.
We cannot recommend a concrete brand and a good idea is to consult with the veterinarian, testing how a brand feels and changing another if we see that it suffers diarrhea, itching, etc.
Luckily, in the market there is a good variety and we have monoproteic feed, for dogs with sensitive skin, fish, etc. Yes indeed, It would be necessary to have some component dedicated to caring for your hair, since it is one of its main characteristics.
If we notice that the hair does not shine as it should, a solution would be to put a stream of olive oil a couple of times a week in its food bowl.
Health
Akita is a very strong dog that barely suffers from diseases. In fact, most of them are due to their size.
Eczema
This does not have to do with the lift, but with the type of hair it possesses. Thus, sometimes we can see that the animal scratches a lot and it is because it has an eczema, which is what is called the inflammation of the skin or dermatitis.
That happens more in the time of mute, in which we will have to brush it very often. Luckily, the veterinarian will stop this problem immediately with anti -inflammatories of topical use, that is, they are placed on the affected area.
Stomach torsion
Here we talk about a disease that is seen in large dogs and that is deadly if it takes to go to the veterinarian. It is so serious, that even four out of ten treated dogs die.
It is because the stomach is dilated by gases. It grows so much that the ligaments that hold it do not do their job and turn around, so the blood irrigation is cut.
When preventing it, It is best not to give food or before the walk and nothing else come back. We will also give our pet a quality diet and divided into several portions, doing our best in order to eat without hurry.
Hip dysplasia
Again, it is a problem suffered by dogs from the largest breeds and that affects the hip, preventing the animal from moving normally or even running.
There are several degrees and it is not uncommon for lameness to appear and also pain, being a hereditary disease that is avoided not breastfeeding with specimens that suffer from it. In fact, it is not uncommon to ask for an radiography of the parents in order to verify that this problem does not exist.
In the most serious cases you have to go through the operating room for the veterinarian to correct it, while mild are solved with physiotherapy and some medications such as condoprotectors.
We must not forget that it can appear due to environmental factors. Therefore, good food is crucial when Akita is a puppy, as it is not to do sudden exercises until the year.
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